Magistrates’ Court Bulletin

Apr - Jun 2009 (Provisional figures)

The roll out of the new court operations system called the Integrated Court Operations System (ICOS) has been completed throughout the divisions. Caution should be taken when comparing figures with previous quarters. For further advice on the differences between the current figures and previous quarters, please contact the NICtS. Figures are run from an administrative database and may change due to late returns and further validations.

Summary

 

Figure 1: Percentage of adults entered and disposed of in the court divisions

Figure 1: Percentage of adults entered and disposed of in the court divisions

Figure 2: Waiting times in weeks in adult magistrates’ courts (1st hearing to disposal)

Figure 2: Waiting times in weeks in adult magistrates’ courts (1st hearing to disposal)

Table 1.1: Scheduled court sitting days & average court sitting times in the magistrates' courts by division & venue

 

Adult criminal day

Youth criminal day

Family day

Number of court sitting days

Average court sitting time

Number of court sitting days

Average court sitting time

Number of court sitting days

Average court sitting time

Belfast

Laganside

238

3:24:37

35

3:25:27

68

3:38:14

Total

238

3:24:37

35

3:25:27

68

3:38:14

Londonderry

Limavady

13

3:49:13

 

.

 

.

Magherafelt

16

3:03:52

5

1:46:00

 

.

Londonderry

44

4:43:58

10

4:03:18

20

5:10:15

Total

73

4:12:17

15

3:17:32

20

5:10:15

Antrim

Antrim

17

4:55:04

6

1:29:10

6

3:08:20

Ballymena

28

3:34:49

7

2:15:00

15

3:31:40

Larne

13

3:31:09

3

0:58:20

5

2:42:00

Coleraine

36

4:58:11

7

3:28:34

11

3:25:00

Total

94

4:20:45

23

2:15:26

37

3:19:11

Fermanagh & Tyrone

Dungannon

36

4:09:16

6

2:52:30

8

6:32:30

Strabane

22

3:50:54

3

2:38:20

 

.

Omagh

26

3:39:02

6

3:45:50

12

4:52:55

Enniskillen

21

4:52:51

6

2:08:20

3

3:16:40

Total

105

4:06:39

21

2:53:05

23

5:15:00

Armagh & South Down

Armagh

19

4:05:43

5

3:43:00

 

.

Banbridge@Newry

12

3:51:15

3

2:18:20

 

.

Newry

31

4:31:32

5

2:38:00

17

3:36:10

Total

62

4:15:50

13

2:58:27

17

3:36:10

Ards

Bangor

20

3:37:00

 

.

5

2:51:00

Downpatrick

26

5:17:06

6

3:03:20

3

4:01:40

Newtownards

41

2:40:56

11

2:28:10

38

2:34:20

Total

87

3:40:30

17

2:40:35

46

2:41:50

Craigavon

Lisburn

34

4:09:33

6

3:32:30

12

3:32:30

Craigavon

35

3:30:08

6

2:44:10

12

4:02:30

Total

69

3:49:33

12

3:08:20

24

3:47:30

 

 

Adult criminal day

Youth criminal day

Family day

Number of court sitting days

Average court sitting time

Number of court sitting days

Average court sitting time

Number of court sitting days

Average court sitting time

Northern Ireland

728

3:51:20

136

2:58:02

235

3:42:17

A court sitting day is counted as any day where the judiciary sit in court. It does not include time in chambers or days where the judiciary are sitting in chambers.

 

Table 1.2: Additional court sitting days & average court sitting times in the magistrates' courts by division & venue

 

Adult criminal day

Family day

Number of court sitting days

Average court sitting time

Number of court sitting days

Average court sitting time

Belfast

Laganside

12

3:42:25

 

.

Total

12

3:42:25

 

.

Londonderry

Limavady

1

3:55:00

 

.

Magherafelt

1

3:30:00

 

.

Londonderry

2

0:45:00

1

5:30:00

Total

4

2:13:45

1

5:30:00

Antrim

Antrim

 

.

1

1:00:00

Ballymena

4

0:33:45

 

.

Larne

 

.

1

1:00:00

Coleraine

2

2:42:30

1

0:20:00

Total

6

1:16:40

3

0:46:40

Fermanagh & Tyrone

Dungannon

 

.

1

4:00:00

Omagh

6

2:17:49

 

.

Total

6

2:17:49

1

4:00:00

Armagh & South Down

Armagh

5

2:44:00

 

.

Newry

14

2:58:12

 

.

Total

19

2:54:28

 

.

Ards

Downpatrick

2

3:52:30

 

.

Newtownards

9

1:21:06

2

1:00:00

Total

11

1:48:38

2

1:00:00

Craigavon

Craigavon

2

3:17:30

 

.

Total

2

3:17:30

 

.

 

 

Adult criminal day

Family day

Number of court sitting days

Average court sitting time

Number of court sitting days

Average court sitting time

Northern Ireland

60

2:36:35

7

1:58:34

A court sitting day is counted as any day where the judiciary sit in court. It does not include time in chambers or days where the judiciary are sitting in chambers.

 

Table 1.3: Special court sitting days & average court sitting times in the magistrates' courts by division & venue

 

Adult criminal day

Number of court sitting days

Average court sitting time

Londonderry

Londonderry

13

0:35:46

Total

13

0:35:46

Antrim

Ballymena

11

0:29:32

Total

11

0:29:32

Fermanagh & Tyrone

Omagh

10

1:06:30

Total

10

1:06:30

Armagh & South Down

Newry

12

0:54:30

Total

12

0:54:30

Ards

Newtownards

11

0:32:43

Total

11

0:32:43

Craigavon

Lisburn

3

1:00:00

Craigavon

7

0:49:17

Total

10

0:52:30

 

 

Adult criminal day

Number of court sitting days

Average court sitting time

Northern Ireland

67

0:44:41

A court sitting day is counted as any day where the judiciary sit in court. It does not include time in chambers or days where the judiciary are sitting in chambers.

 

Table 2.1 Adult criminal defendants received in the magistrates' courts by division & venue

 

PSNI/PPS prosecution

Departmental prosecution

Fixed penalty

Total

Belfast

Laganside Courts

2792

1077

77

3946

Division total

2792

1077

77

3946

Londonderry

Londonderry Court Office

707

215

16

938

Limavady Court Office

259

51

6

316

Magherafelt Court Office

198

47

7

252

Division total

1164

313

29

1506

Antrim

Antrim Court Office

399

108

11

518

Coleraine Court Office

469

157

18

644

Ballymena Court Office

311

63

4

378

Larne Court Office

96

55

5

156

Division total

1275

383

38

1696

Fermanagh and Tyrone

Omagh Court Office

387

79

27

493

Strabane Court Office

197

47

10

254

Enniskillen Court Office

318

71

16

405

Dungannon Court Office

571

210

21

802

Division total

1473

407

74

1954

Armagh and South Down

Armagh Court Office

235

83

18

336

Banbridge Court Office

336

77

4

417

Newry Court Office

698

248

16

962

Division total

1269

408

38

1715

Ards

Newtownards Court Office

339

88

31

458

Downpatrick Court Office

318

93

13

424

Bangor Court Office

263

52

1

316

Division total

920

233

45

1198

Craigavon

Craigavon Court Office

387

140

 

527

Lisburn Court Office

523

166

28

717

Division total

910

306

28

1244

 

Table 2.1 Adult criminal defendants received in the magistrates' courts in Northern Ireland

 

PSNI/PPS prosecution

Departmental prosecution

Fixed penalty

Total

Northern Ireland

9803

3127

329

13259

 

Table 2.2 Adult criminal defendants disposed of in the magistrates' court by division & venue

 

PSNI/PPS prosecution

Departmental prosecution

Fixed penalty

Total

Belfast

Laganside Courts

2681

910

75

3666

Divsion total

2681

910

75

3666

Londonderry

Londonderry Court Office

655

230

16

901

Limavady Court Office

244

56

7

307

Magherafelt Court Office

209

48

8

265

Divsion total

1108

334

31

1473

Antrim

Antrim Court Office

428

88

11

527

Coleraine Court Office

461

166

17

644

Ballymena Court Office

330

64

5

399

Larne Court Office

123

59

6

188

Divsion total

1342

377

39

1758

Fermanagh and Tyrone

Omagh Court Office

407

77

26

510

Strabane Court Office

208

53

10

271

Enniskillen Court Office

288

74

16

378

Dungannon Court Office

500

215

20

735

Divsion total

1403

419

72

1894

Armagh and South Down

Armagh Court Office

217

92

14

323

Banbridge Court Office

303

66

4

373

Newry Court Office

577

249

16

842

Divsion total

1097

407

34

1538

Ards

Newtownards Court Office

377

92

27

496

Downpatrick Court Office

340

81

13

434

Bangor Court Office

263

49

1

313

Divsion total

980

222

41

1243

Craigavon

Craigavon Court Office

415

125

 

540

Lisburn Court Office

498

171

29

698

Divsion total

913

296

29

1238

 

Table 2.2 Adult criminal defendants disposed of in the magistrates' court in Northern Ireland

 

PSNI/PPS prosecution

Departmental prosecution

Fixed penalty

Total

Northern Ireland

9524

2965

321

12810

 

Table 2.3: Average waiting times in the adult magistrates' courts by division & venue

 

Summons to first hearing (weeks)

First hearing to finding (weeks)

Finding to disposal (weeks)

First hearing to disposal (weeks)

Belfast

Laganside Courts

6.55

6.05

.61

6.66

Total

6.55

6.05

.61

6.66

Londonderry

Londonderry Court Office

7.12

5.86

.94

6.80

Limavady Court Office

6.38

5.12

.39

5.52

Magherafelt Court Office

7.34

6.10

1.03

7.13

Total

7.00

5.74

.84

6.59

Antrim

Antrim Court Office

6.88

6.39

.57

6.96

Coleraine Court Office

6.98

13.31

.62

13.93

Ballymena Court Office

8.17

9.87

.95

10.82

Larne Court Office

12.33

7.43

.76

8.19

Total

7.78

9.79

.69

10.48

Fermanagh and Tyrone

Omagh Court Office

7.83

5.29

.53

5.82

Strabane Court Office

7.57

4.92

.46

5.38

Enniskillen Court Office

6.82

4.28

.83

5.12

Dungannon Court Office

7.07

5.03

.91

5.94

Total

7.30

4.94

.73

5.67

Armagh and South Down

Armagh Court Office

7.23

5.49

.78

6.28

Banbridge Court Office

7.02

4.02

.34

4.36

Newry Court Office

7.48

5.65

.41

6.06

Total

7.31

5.22

.47

5.69

Ards

Newtownards Court Office

8.37

4.93

.52

5.45

Downpatrick Court Office

8.52

8.99

1.34

10.33

Bangor Court Office

7.35

8.28

1.42

9.69

Total

8.17

7.19

1.03

8.22

Craigavon

Craigavon Court Office

6.98

6.06

.88

6.94

Lisburn Court Office

7.11

6.16

.96

7.12

Total

7.05

6.11

.92

7.04

Bench warrants, adjourned generally and deferred sentences excluded

Table 2.3: Average waiting times in the adult magistrates' courts in Northern Ireland

 

Summons to first hearing (weeks)

First hearing to finding (weeks)

Finding to disposal (weeks)

First hearing to disposal (weeks)

Northern Ireland

7.18

6.37

.72

7.09

Bench warrants, adjourned generally and deferred sentences excluded

 

Table 2.4: Number and type of charges brought for adult defendants disposed of by business area

 

PSNI/PPS prosecution

Departmental prosecution

Fixed penalty

Total

All Offences Against the Person

853

 

 

853

All Sexual Offences

212

 

 

212

All Burglary Offences

96

 

 

96

All Robbery Offences

21

 

 

21

All Theft Offences

515

1

 

516

All Fraud and Forgery Offences

61

50

 

111

All Criminal Damage Offences

248

 

 

248

All Offences Against the State

11

 

 

11

All Other Offences

664

99

 

763

All Drug Offences

375

1

 

376

All Motoring Offences

4263

212

 

4475

All Non-Police Offences

49

2360

321

2730

All Breach

177

179

 

356

Combination of  charges

1979

63

 

2042

Total

9524

2965

321

12810

 

Table 2.5: Outcome of adult defendants disposed of by business area

 

PSNI/PPS prosecution

Departmental prosecution

Fixed penalty

Total

Committed to the Crown Court

443

 

 

443

Plea of guilty on all charges

4033

789

 

4822

All charges withdrawn

1923

857

9

2789

Fixed penalty default

 

 

312

312

Plea not guilty - found guilty on at least one charge

2754

1211

 

3965

Plea not guilty - acquitted on all charges

371

108

 

479

Total

9524

2965

321

12810

 

Table 3.1 Youth defendants received in the magistrates' courts by division & venue

 

PSNI/PPS prosecution

Departmental prosecution

Total

Belfast

Laganside Courts

228

13

241

Division total

228

13

241

Londonderry

Londonderry Court Office

78

3

81

Limavady Court Office

4

 

4

Magherafelt Court Office

14

 

14

Division total

96

3

99

Antrim

Antrim Court Office

16

1

17

Coleraine Court Office

43

1

44

Ballymena Court Office

32

1

33

Larne Court Office

7

 

7

Division total

98

3

101

Fermanagh and Tyrone

Omagh Court Office

34

1

35

Strabane Court Office

12

 

12

Enniskillen Court Office

19

 

19

Dungannon Court Office

22

 

22

Division total

87

1

88

Armagh and South Down

Armagh Court Office

6

 

6

Banbridge Court Office

9

 

9

Newry Court Office

22

 

22

Division total

37

 

37

Ards

Newtownards Court Office

43

 

43

Downpatrick Court Office

12

1

13

Bangor Court Office

26

6

32

Division total

81

7

88

Craigavon

Craigavon Court Office

34

1

35

Lisburn Court Office

42

2

44

Division total

76

3

79

 

Table 3.1 Youth defendants received in the magistrates' courts in Northern Ireland

 

PSNI/PPS prosecution

Departmental prosecution

Total

Northern Ireland

703

30

733

 

Table 3.2 Youth defendants disposed of in the magistrates' courts by division &

venue

 

PSNI/PPS prosecution

Departmental prosecution

Total

Belfast

Laganside Courts

232

13

245

Divsion total

232

13

245

Londonderry

Londonderry Court Office

93

2

95

Limavady Court Office

3

 

3

Magherafelt Court Office

12

 

12

Divsion total

108

2

110

Antrim

Antrim Court Office

10

 

10

Coleraine Court Office

31

 

31

Ballymena Court Office

33

1

34

Larne Court Office

5

 

5

Divsion total

79

1

80

Fermanagh and Tyrone

Omagh Court Office

30

1

31

Strabane Court Office

11

 

11

Enniskillen Court Office

19

 

19

Dungannon Court Office

34

 

34

Divsion total

94

1

95

Armagh and South Down

Armagh Court Office

13

 

13

Banbridge Court Office

9

 

9

Newry Court Office

26

 

26

Divsion total

48

 

48

Ards

Newtownards Court Office

67

3

70

Downpatrick Court Office

17

1

18

Bangor Court Office

21

3

24

Divsion total

105

7

112

Craigavon

Craigavon Court Office

37

 

37

Lisburn Court Office

53

 

53

Divsion total

90

 

90

 

Table 3.2 Youth defendants disposed of in the magistrates' courts in Northern Ireland

 

PSNI/PPS prosecution

Departmental prosecution

Total

Northern Ireland

756

24

780

 

Table 3.3: Average waiting times in the youth magistrates' courts by division & venue

 

Summons to first hearing (weeks)

First hearing to finding (weeks)

Finding to disposal (weeks)

Belfast

Laganside Courts

4.99

8.34

3.15

Total

4.99

8.34

3.15

Londonderry

Londonderry Court Office

5.57

7.50

3.70

Limavady Court Office

1.71

7.00

.00

Magherafelt Court Office

5.38

8.51

2.67

Total

5.47

7.59

3.51

Antrim

Antrim Court Office

8.43

3.43

.33

Coleraine Court Office

5.30

21.11

2.25

Ballymena Court Office

5.89

8.42

2.90

Larne Court Office

7.14

3.00

2.25

Total

6.04

12.41

2.30

Fermanagh and Tyrone

Omagh Court Office

6.46

5.26

1.20

Strabane Court Office

5.98

3.69

.67

Enniskillen Court Office

4.93

9.86

4.02

Dungannon Court Office

5.68

8.85

4.24

Total

5.81

7.45

2.90

Armagh and South Down

Armagh Court Office

3.24

13.49

3.60

Banbridge Court Office

5.63

1.29

2.71

Newry Court Office

5.40

9.31

2.61

Total

4.88

8.93

2.89

Ards

Newtownards Court Office

4.94

8.43

2.86

Downpatrick Court Office

4.65

14.65

1.64

Bangor Court Office

4.24

13.70

3.14

Total

4.71

10.80

2.74

Craigavon

Craigavon Court Office

4.71

6.50

3.65

Lisburn Court Office

5.16

13.87

4.47

Total

4.96

10.58

4.10

 

Bench warrants, adjourned generally and deferred sentences excluded

 

Table 3.3: Average waiting times in the youth magistrates' courts in Northern Ireland

 

Summons to first hearing (weeks)

First hearing to finding (weeks)

Finding to disposal (weeks)

Northern Ireland

5.24

9.16

3.14

Bench warrants, adjourned generally and deferred sentences excluded

 

Table 3.4: Number and type of charges brought for youth defendants disposed of by business area

 

PSNI/PPS prosecution

Departmental prosecution

Total

All Offences Against the Person

126

 

126

All Sexual Offences

5

 

5

All Burglary Offences

41

 

41

All Robbery Offences

1

 

1

All Theft Offences

86

 

86

All Criminal Damage Offences

81

 

81

All Other Offences

71

 

71

All Drug Offences

18

 

18

All Motoring Offences

78

 

78

All Non-Police Offences

1

3

4

All Breach

2

21

23

Combination of  charges

246

 

246

Total

756

24

780

 

Table 3.5: Outcome of youth defendants disposed of by business area

 

PSNI/PPS prosecution

Departmental prosecution

Total

Committed to the Crown Court

18

 

18

Plea of guilty on all charges

270

7

277

All charges withdrawn

260

4

264

Plea not guilty - found guilty on at least one charge

167

5

172

Plea not guilty - acquitted on all charges

41

8

49

Total

756

24

780

 

Table 4.1 Number of civil applications received in the magistrates' court by division & venue

 

Domestic Proceedings

Family Homes & Domestic Violence

Total

Belfast

Laganside Courts

18

273

291

Division total

18

273

291

Londonderry

Londonderry Court Office

13

101

114

Limavady Court Office

 

9

9

Magherafelt Court Office

2

12

14

Division total

15

122

137

Antrim

Antrim Court Office

 

27

27

Coleraine Court Office

12

78

90

Ballymena Court Office

2

59

61

Larne Court Office

2

33

35

Division total

16

197

213

Fermanagh and Tyrone

Omagh Court Office

7

28

35

Strabane Court Office

1

8

9

Enniskillen Court Office

3

24

27

Dungannon Court Office

4

56

60

Division total

15

116

131

Armagh and South Down

Armagh Court Office

2

10

12

Banbridge Court Office

1

2

3

Newry Court Office

14

68

82

Division total

17

80

97

Ards

Newtownards Court Office

5

72

77

Downpatrick Court Office

4

35

39

Bangor Court Office

8

33

41

Division total

17

140

157

Craigavon

Craigavon Court Office

14

33

47

Lisburn Court Office

5

33

38

Division total

19

66

85

 

Table 4.1 Number of civil applications received in the magistrates' court in Northern Ireland

 

Domestic Proceedings

Family Homes & Domestic Violence

Total

Northern Ireland

117

994

1111

 

Table 4.2 Number of civil applications disposed in the magistrates' court by division & venue

 

Domestic Proceedings

Family Homes & Domestic Violence

Total

Belfast

Laganside Courts

19

229

248

Division total

19

229

248

Londonderry

Londonderry Court Office

8

105

113

Limavady Court Office

 

9

9

Magherafelt Court Office

1

15

16

Division total

9

129

138

Antrim

Antrim Court Office

2

17

19

Coleraine Court Office

11

71

82

Ballymena Court Office

3

49

52

Larne Court Office

 

15

15

Division total

16

152

168

Fermanagh and Tyrone

Omagh Court Office

1

24

25

Strabane Court Office

3

10

13

Enniskillen Court Office

2

15

17

Dungannon Court Office

5

45

50

Division total

11

94

105

Armagh and South Down

Armagh Court Office

4

13

17

Newry Court Office

19

64

83

Division total

23

77

100

Ards

Newtownards Court Office

11

65

76

Downpatrick Court Office

8

39

47

Bangor Court Office

6

26

32

Division total

25

130

155

Craigavon

Craigavon Court Office

14

27

41

Lisburn Court Office

4

21

25

Division total

18

48

66

 

Table 4.2 Number of civil applications disposed in the magistrates' court in Northern Ireland

 

Domestic Proceedings

Family Homes & Domestic Violence

Total

Northern Ireland

122

859

981

 

Table 4.3: Average waiting times in the civil magistrates' courts by division & venue

 

Date of issue to first hearing (weeks)

First hearing to disposal (weeks)

Belfast

Laganside Courts

1.70

5.48

Total

1.70

5.48

Londonderry

Londonderry Court Office

3.24

6.14

Limavady Court Office

1.33

6.33

Magherafelt Court Office

2.65

.81

Total

3.05

5.54

Antrim

Antrim Court Office

.80

1.74

Coleraine Court Office

1.28

5.09

Ballymena Court Office

1.32

7.27

Larne Court Office

1.42

5.43

Total

1.25

5.41

Fermanagh and Tyrone

Omagh Court Office

1.34

2.84

Strabane Court Office

2.07

7.77

Enniskillen Court Office

1.68

2.50

Dungannon Court Office

1.52

2.02

Total

1.57

3.00

Armagh and South Down

Armagh Court Office

2.13

7.24

Newry Court Office

1.91

3.78

Total

1.95

4.37

Ards

Newtownards Court Office

1.51

4.80

Downpatrick Court Office

1.93

9.84

Bangor Court Office

1.36

7.15

Total

1.60

6.81

Craigavon

Craigavon Court Office

2.18

7.44

Lisburn Court Office

.54

15.71

Total

1.56

10.57

 

Table 4.3: Average waiting times in the civil magistrates' courts in Northern Ireland

 

Date of issue to first hearing (weeks)

First hearing to disposal (weeks)

Northern Ireland

1.80

5.69

 

Table 4.4 Outcome of applications under Family Homes & Domestic Violence Order in the magistrates' court in Northern Ireland

 

Granted

Dismissed or refused

Withdrawn

Vary/discharge

Other

Total

Non molestation

552

127

127

21

4

831

Occupation

4

4

3

 

 

11

Vary discharge non-mol occupation

3

6

2

6

 

17

Total

559

137

132

27

4

859